Wreck or Restored?

[canuck750]

I am in a quandary, having been looking for a Le Mans MKI for a couple years I now have the opportunity to purchase several, something like waiting for buses??
One is local and the other would need to be shipped, in the end both would be priced equally, both appear to be great examples, all correct.

The dilemma is I like to rebuild them myself and prefer to find a beater in need of a full rebuild.

Reality check tells me that from my own experience buying a rebuilt bike that someone else has completed is much less expensive than doing the work myself. I could just shell out the hard earned cash and enjoy riding the thing rather than spending a year or two rebuilding one.

I must be crazy but my heart still says I need to find a 'project'.

Before I jump in and go for the finished bike does anyone have a MK1 project for sale? (preferably a 1976 Series 1 model with the taillight assembly cast into the rear fender).

Cheers

Jim

[earemike]

If I were to come across an early LeMans 850 project for a realistic price I'd jump on it.

I'll pray to your gods that someone has one in your area (& if they're in my area I hope I get the chance to buy!)

[racasey]

Having admired your work from afar, via photos and text on WildGuzzi.com, my sense is you would be compelled to peek into every bearing, shim, and seal.  Upon finding one component not to your liking, you would strip the whole machine and do it up "proper".

This is not a criticism, but a recognition that there still exists some folks who know the value of work done right.

Buy a beater.  You will be happier, and reading of your work, "we" on this forum will be happier.

Ciao,
Dick Casey

[mjptexas]

Given the relatively short riding season in your area I'd go for the rebuild to have something motorcycle - related to do in the off season.

[dsrdave]

I feel the same way !!!!  And just 1 year ago I found the exact bike you're looking for at an unbelievable price,  it really does happen.  Just not often enough.  I get as much fun out of restoring the bike as I do riding.  There's nothing to say you can't start with a nice bike and make it better though.  Has all the hardware been replated,  how about correct colors and the finish on the chrome.  Always something to do if you want.  Good luck, Dave.

[nick949]

Having admired your work from afar, via photos and text on WildGuzzi.com, my sense is you would be compelled to peek into every bearing, shim, and seal.  Upon finding one component not to your liking, you would strip the whole machine and do it up "proper".

This is not a criticism, but a recognition that there still exists some folks who know the value of work done right.

Buy a beater.  You will be happier, and reading of your work, "we" on this forum will be happier.

Ciao,
Dick Casey

Absolutely Jim  :+1 :+1 :+1 :+1

Nick

[fotoguzzi]

Like this one?

[Tobit]

Project.  Unless I were very familiar with the sellers work and reputation I'd not feel comfortable with a rebuilt bike.  I'd want to go over every component myself, if for nothing else, to know the bike.

Like the seller of a Volvo I was recently interested in buying said; "The engine's just been rebuilt."  When asked why, the answer was "I don't know, Grandpa just went through it."

Musta hurt.

Tobit

[Cam3512]

Like this one?

Nope, that looks like a Series 2 .

[Cam3512]

Jim,

Having restored/refurbed a few bikes, I prefer to buy them done and ride.  But I'm not even close to your skills, and everything I touch takes longer and more money.

Why not find a "decent" one and still pull it apart?  Everything will be cleaner, and you can still get your hands on every nut and bolt.

I need to get up to the Rochester NY area to pick up my blue 850 Lemans, it's done and waiting for me!

[fotoguzzi]

Nope, that looks like a Series 2 .

it's a 1977 vin VE072793

what makes it a series 2?

[Cam3512]

it's a 1977 vin VE072793

what makes it a series 2?

Early 1976 850 LeMans Series 1 had a rounder tail light molded into the rear fender.  Made less of those, thus thought to me more desirable. They also had a rubber molded SOLO seat.  Not sure of any other subtle differences.

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/1976-moto-guzzi-lemans/

[Chuck in Indiana]

Projects keep the winter manageable.  ;D That said, I like to find one that is as complete as possible. I *don't* like scrounging parts.

[Petrus Rocks]

Cam3512, Who's doing your Lemans in Rochester?  I live nearby and it could be a good resource.
thanks, Pete

[canuck750]

Thanks for the comments guys, I think I need to listen to my heart on this one and go for another project, I know I can't leave well enough alone. I spoke with a fine fellow yesterday who has a very well maintained (call it preserved) 78 MKI series 2, he has done all the maintenance and replaced what was needed when it was needed, comes very highly recommended. It has had some cosmetic work, ie. powder coated frame, painted side panels and fenders but original paint on the tank. All mechanical gone over but not much replaced, original bearings throughout but brakes overhauled and new hoses. Not 100% original and not 100% rebuilt. Sounds like a very good rider. The other one I am looking at is a 76 MKI Series 1, all repainted, lots of cosmetic work, mechanical gone over but not much replaced (low mileage probably does not warrant replacements).

Both will cost me dearly but they would both be ready to roll out the door.

I will try and find a good project, mostly complete and tear it down. Will probably end up costing me another 30% over the bikes I am looking at but I would know what I have.

[normzone]

All I can add to this conversation is an incredulous echo " tail light assembly cast into the rear fender ? ".

Later on another poster described a " molded into the rear fender ".

Having dealt with some castings challenges over the years, I must ask - is the fender cast ? That way lies madness.

Is it a cast tail light riveted in to the fender, or some such method? Fenders to my eye look stamped or bent and welded, possible forged but casting a fender would be like (searching for unlikely metaphor) growing a sandwich - not the easiest way to get there.

[canuck750]

All I can add to this conversation is an incredulous echo " tail light assembly cast into the rear fender ? ".

Later on another poster described a " molded into the rear fender ".

Having dealt with some castings challenges over the years, I must ask - is the fender cast ? That way lies madness.

Is it a cast tail light riveted in to the fender, or some such method? Fenders to my eye look stamped or bent and welded, possible forged but casting a fender would be like (searching for unlikely metaphor) growing a sandwich - not the easiest way to get there.

Le Mans MK I - Series I - Tail light body support integral to the rear fender (plastic rear fender formed in a cast mold). tail light back body secured to the formed rear fender.



Le Mans MK I - Series II - tail light assembly body a separate black casting fastened to the plastic rear fender. Similar to later type Convert and several other Guzzi models.



Series 1 limited to 1976 production, Series II concludes with 1978 production. Fewer Series I produced, considered to be more collectible.

I would be happy to get a hold of either the  Series I or any Series II or even the very rare cast rear fender Series I ;D

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

[canuck750]

Looks to be a cast repop ???

[Cam3512]

All I can add to this conversation is an incredulous echo " tail light assembly cast into the rear fender ? ".

Later on another poster described a " molded into the rear fender ".

Having dealt with some castings challenges over the years, I must ask - is the fender cast ? That way lies madness.

Is it a cast tail light riveted in to the fender, or some such method? Fenders to my eye look stamped or bent and welded, possible forged but casting a fender would be like (searching for unlikely metaphor) growing a sandwich - not the easiest way to get there.

"Cast" or "molded" who cares.  Just look at the pictures.

[canuck750]

Hi Cam

any idea how many of the 76 Series 1 were built and how many of those were ice blue?  I am assuming the ice blue series 1 must be the rarest of all the Le Mans. How is your blue beauty coming along? Looking forward to seeing pictured :drool

Cheers

Jim

[Cam3512]

Hi Cam

any idea how many of the 76 Series 1 were built and how many of those were ice blue?  I am assuming the ice blue series 1 must be the rarest of all the Le Mans. How is your blue beauty coming along? Looking forward to seeing pictured :drool

Cheers

Jim

Jim,

Off the top of my head, no.  I'm still learning about these bikes.  I have a few books that might have the answer.   I was just informed my bike is DONE!   I just need to get up to the Rochester, NY, area to pick it up.   It's still been snowing up there, so I'm shooting for next weekend.  When I get it home, some pics will follow.  Mine's a Series 2 - 1978.   FWIW, the "850 LeMans"  was never officially called the "LeMans I"  or "MK I". 

Cam

[canuck750]

Looking forward to seeing it!

I am moving my 750S3 out of storage and into the garage on Saturday, time to get started on its refreshment.

Cheers

Jim

[Cam3512]

Looking forward to seeing it!

I am moving my 750S3 out of storage and into the garage on Saturday, time to get started on its refreshment.

Cheers

Jim

Please start a thread so we can follow.

[mantaray]

Please start a thread so we can follow.

Or you're banned lol

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This '78 just arrived yesterday.

[Cam3512]

This '78 just arrived yesterday.

Looks nice Charlie.  So what needs to be done?  

[twhitaker]

It looks like it needs no more than a test rider. I'll see how my schedule fits.  ;D

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Looks nice Charlie.  So what needs to be done?  

Just the "usual" maintenance and a "startus interruptus" issue fixed. 

[canuck750]

Sure looks pretty!